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Thursday, November 21, 2013

The "Home Sewing Is Easy" Novelty Print Dress

After last week's discussion of novelty-print dresses, I decided to give the whole thing a try. I'd been working up a muslin of Simplicity 2444, and figured this would be the perfect chance to try it out in an inexpensive fabric.

Once I had the bodice sewn up, I was struck with design inspiration for the back.

I had seen this detail on a Bettie Page dress and thought it would help break up the print a bit. It was very easy to do, and I plan to outline the construction in another post.

Can I please pat myself on the back for matching up the print across the invisible zipper? That's the pull dangling over the blonde lady's face.

Print placement is obviously important, and I almost ran out of fabric fussing over the layout, even though I had 5 yards. I knew I wanted to get the "Home Sewing Is Easy" banner on the bodice, but not in a weird place.

The print isn't quite as overwhelming as I anticipated, but it surely clashes with my hair! A belt worked well to balance the print (it's from Modcloth, and I'm obsessed with it). With so much going on, the only thing to do was to pair it with a tasteful nude pump and call it a day.

I have more to say about this dress's construction, which I'll have to get to in another post. Back to writing pattern instructions for the book!

Very cute! You are always such and inspiration! I have had the love of fabric and sewing for as long as I can remember (you and I are about the same age). I buy the crazy prints and use them for my kids clothes... but now you have inspired me to "let my freak flag fly"....LOL and make some cute dresses for myself out of them. (I noticed you have no tats on your back...whats up with that! lol) That's where I started with tats first! I am in the process of making a super cute halter dress out of Pat Sloans fruit and veggie stand fabric. Its white background with red cherries and green leaves. Its super cute! I look forward to your posts as the inspire me! Thanks and you look great! Love the back of the dress!

Insane zippering!Love the whole back! So cute! Ooooh,and coming from a tattoo artist I haveto say that your back is such an important piece... It's great you are thinking into that one. Keep in mind the top of your back in terms of what will peek out of your clothes on your back piece because that can not only express you but make an outfit.Ha! That is such a girl tat artist thing to say.Yikes :-)

I'm trying to find the words to tell you how much I love the dress but I am too busy jumping around, clapping my hands together and squealing excitedly. I'm kind of glad there is no one here to see me. Yup! You've created something special there :-)

I love how the dramatic back is echoed in the cartoon character's own dress with white flaps and buttons. It's a cool dress, and I'm sure it was no easy feat lining up everything as perfectly and strategically as you did. Thumbs up!

Beautiful, and looks smashing on you! I have to tell you, I had some of that fabric a couple of years ago and made a blouse with it. The blouse was fine, but it looked horrid on red-headed, light-skinned me. That print definitely wore me rather than the other way around. Be glad you've got enough oomph, whether with dark or pink hair, to stand your ground against a bold print!

I can hardly believe how much I love this dress....even though it is miles out of my comfort zone....I'd wear that in a heartbeat.....I know I have similar fabric in my stash, too...I'm so making this!

It's lovely! Nice job about that zipper! And I love the back too. it's a beatiful solution to just a plain back. I like the pattern and the fabric is just lovely, and it really speaks for itself, making total sense. Very nice!

Wow! So ridiculously cute! I love these novelty prints and you do such a fantastic job of lining up the print! You need matching nails ;) http://kissmytips.jamberrynails.net/home/ProductDetail.aspx?id=2214#.Uo_8zmRgYmg

I have that Bettie Page dress in leopard print. It's a lovely fit and super comfy. The flaps at the back don't have a button on each side though, one side has a button and the other a buttonhole, so you can actually close up the flaps for more coverage. I love the dress you have made, I think I'm going to have to buy this pattern and give it a whirl. x